Deluge closes 101 at county line
Gridlock on North Bay's main artery; voluntary evacuations under way in Petaluma, Marin
Published: Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 3:38 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 3:38 a.m.
A winter storm drenched the Bay Area on Friday, flooding dozens of roads and shutting down Highway 101 for hours north and south of the Marin-Sonoma county line.
The storm played havoc with the Friday evening commute when the flood-prone San Antonio Creek overflowed south of Petaluma.
As the water rose, freeway traffic was able to get by in single lanes, but by 8 p.m. the CHP was forced to close the highway entirely.
Traffic was reported to be backed up for miles at times in both directions. Eventually, Highway 101 was closed between Petaluma and Atherton in Marin.
Vehicles were stalled in water and had to be towed out, the CHP said.
With continued steady rain Friday night, authorities said the critical north-south artery was unlikely to be reopened until early this morning.
"It's gridlock out there now," CHP Sgt. Steve Ramos said about 9 p.m.
The rising waters also prompted limited, voluntary evacuations in Petaluma and Marin County.
Residents of Leisure Lake Mobile Home Park between Petaluma Boulevard North and Pepper Road were asked to evacuate for fear they would be cut off by rising water.
The Red Cross opened a shelter at Lucchesi community center, although by 10 p.m. Friday officials were uncertain how many would use it.
Residents in the Marin County towns of San Anselmo and Fairfax also were asked to leave their homes and businesses because of flooding from a nearby creek.
Authorities issued a voluntary evacuation order after Corte Madera Creek reached its flood stage Friday evening. A spokesman for the Sheriff's Department did not have an estimate of how many people had evacuated.
The National Weather Service issued an urban and small-stream advisory warning for Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties through 6:15 this morning.
The advisory generally refers to "nuisance" flooding, according to the Weather Service. But there was that and more -- plenty of aggravation Friday in the form of flooded roads and power failures.
Forecasters expect periods of rain through today and heavy rain likely tonight in the Santa Rosa area, with more rain Sunday. By Monday, it is anticipated to be partially sunny.
Friday's downpour dumped 1.47 inches of rain on Santa Rosa by 4 p.m. It brought the seasonal total to just over 17.01 inches, surpassing the average 16.21 inches for the date.
"It appears the threat of real substantial flooding has diminished," National Weather Service Meteorologist Charles Bell said Friday evening.
He said the flooding could have been worse if the brunt of the storm had been 100 miles farther east, instead of being concentrated toward the coast.
Despite the scattered flooding, he said "it will turn out to be a very, very beneficial storm," in terms of replenishing the water supply.
The storm brought snow and chain controls to the Sierra on Friday. Ski resorts near Donner Summit reported 8 to 12 inches of new snow while the Heavenly resort on Lake Tahoe's south shore reported 17 to 26 inches of new snow for the week, according to the Associated Press.
But in the Bay Area and Sonoma County, rain was too much in many places.
Flooding was reported on both ends of the Rohnert Park Expressway, at Petaluma Hill Road and Stony Point Road.
Roads into Rancho Verde Mobile Home Park on the west side of Rohnert Park were flooded.
Residents complained that the city has done little to alleviate the chronic flooding into their mobile home park and in fact may be aggravating the situation by directing runoff into a nearby creek, which then overflows and enters the park.
"I've lived here since 1990. It's flooded almost every single year," said Vickie Swing. "It's ridiculous."
She said water was up to the bumper of some trucks entering Rancho Verde.
In Petaluma, there was flooding on Lakeville Highway at the city limits as well as Petaluma Boulevard at Landing Way.
In the Sonoma area, flooding closed the intersection of Highway 121 and Arnold Drive.
Highway 1 on the Sonoma Coast also experienced problems Friday afternoon near Valley Ford and Fort Ross.
Flooding was reported at Bodega Highway and Highway 1. And downed wires closed the state coastal highway at Meyers Grade, south of Fort Ross.
PG&E's largest blackout was in Rohnert Park, when the lights went out to 527 customers Friday afternoon in parts of the "H" section.
In Jenner, 221 customers were without power.
In Mendocino County, Ukiah and Willits also were experiencing blackouts.
Just under 100 customers were without power in Ukiah through much of the day. And in Willits, 47 customers lost power Friday afternoon.
Most of the weather-related traffic accidents in Sonoma County were said to be relatively minor.
The CHP still warned motorists to ease up on the accelerator and increase their following distances.
"It's raining significantly and will continue for some time. We all need to slow down and practice some patience," said CHP Public Information Officer Barb Upham.
She said hydroplaning is a big hazard in which cars glide when drivers attempt to stop, even at low speeds.
A significant cause, she said, is poor tread or low tire inflation.
Motorists should ensure their tires are in good shape for foul weather, she said, adding "It's always a good idea to make sure the defroster and windshield wipers are also in good condition."
You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com.
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